Salmos 91
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 91
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Introduction This is a wonderful Psalm describing God's protection of and presence with His faithful followers (cf. Psalm 16; 23; 62; 121). Often the Psalms speak of the nation of Israel (cf. Psalm 90), but this one is individualized (SINGULAR "you"). The truths of Ps. 91:1-8 are paralleled by Ps. 91:9-13. God's care and provision are repeated for emphasis and then God Himself speaks in Ps. 91:14-16. Names of Deity used in Psalm 91 Most High (Elyon, BDB 751, KB 832), Ps. 91:1a ‒ descriptive title most often used in poetry Almighty (Shaddai, BDB 994), Ps. 91:1b, 9b, used mostly in Genesis and Job; only twice in Psalms; 68:14 and here ‒ patriarchal name for God (cf. Exod. 6:30; possibly from the Hebrew root "to be strong," NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 401) Lord (YHWH, BDB 217), Ps. 91:2a, 9a ‒ the covenant name for Deity, first used in Gen. 2:4; it is from the Hebrew VERB "to be" (cf. Exod. 3:14); the rabbis say it describes Deity as Savior, Redeemer God (Eloah, BDB 43, KB 52), Ps. 91:2b ‒ this is the general name for Deity in the ANE, El; in Gen. 1:1, the PLURAL form, Elohim is used; the rabbis say this describes God as creator, sustainer, and provider of all life on earth SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, B. C. D. SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADDAI This Psalm is dominated by IMPERFECTS (28), which denote continuing actions of our God on behalf of the faithful followers. The two PERFECTS of Ps. 91:14 denote the settled, intimate relationship between God and His faithful followers. The imagery is from married life (cf. Isa. 54:5; Hosea 2:19; Eph. 5:25). "cleave" ‒ cf. Gen. 2:24 "know" ‒ Gen. 4:1,17,25; 24:16; 38:26
Salmos 91:1-4
91:1-4 This strophe uses several names/titles for Deity (see Contextual Insights, B) and several images to describe His care and protection. shelter ‒ Ps. 27:5; 31:20, which denotes the temple, cf. Ps. 27:5; 31:20; 32:7; 61:4 shadow ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADOW AS A METAPHOR FOR PROTECTION AND CARE refuge ‒ see note online at Ps. 5:11; see SPECIAL TOPIC: REFUGE fortress ‒ Ps. 18:2; 31:3; 71:3; 144:2; Jer. 16:19 Psalm 91:4 alludes to #2, 3,4 above. The One in whom faithful followers trust (BDB 105, KB 120, Qal IMPERFECT; see note online at Ps. 4:5). delivers them from the snare of the trapper (cf. Ps. 124:7) delivers them from the deadly pestilence (cf. Ps. 91:6; possibly demonic, cf. Hab. 3:5 and SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEMONIC IN THE OT) will cover them with His wings (cf. Ps. 36:7; 57:1; 63:7; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADOW AS A METAPHOR FOR PROTECTION AND CARE) His faithfulness (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT) is a shield (cf. Ps. 35:2) a bulwark or (RSV) buckler (both military terms, this word [BDB 695, KB 750] is found only here in the OT; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 243) This is a beautiful and powerful strophe of YHWH's character and actions on behalf of His people. 91:1 "shadow of the Almighty" This can refer to the wings of the cherubim over the ark (i.e., covenant protection, cf. Exod. 25:17-22) the wings of a protective mother bird (cf. Ps. 17:8; 36:7 57:1; 61:4; 6 3:7; 91:4; and Matt. 23:27) imagery for protection from the burning heat of the sun (cf. Ps. 121:5; Isa. 25:4; 32:2) 91:2 "in whom I trust" This is the key to a covenant relationship with God (cf. Ps. 4:5; 25:2; 56:4). "Trust" (BDB 105, KB 120, Qal IMPERFECT; used many times in the Psalms) is mankind's appropriate response to a living Creator. The IMPERATIVE is found in Ps. 37:3,5; 52:8; 62:8; Isa. 26:4. For the related synonym, see SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT. 91:3 "pestilence" The basic root is דבר (BDB 182-184), which has several usages. word (cf. LXX of Ps. 91:5, the UBS Text Project, p. 361, gives this a "B" rating, "the world of destruction") speaking (cf. Jer. 5:13) pestilence (cf. Exod. 5:3; 9:15; Num. 14:12; Lev. 26:25; Deut. 28:21; Ps. 78:50) pasture (cf. Micah 2:12) bee or bee sting (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 916) Because of Ps. 91:5-6 #3 fits the context and parallelism best. 91:4c YHWH's character is the faithful followers' protection against the evil of this fallen world. SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND
Salmos 91:5-10
91:5-10 This strophe continues the imagery of Ps. 91:1-4. "the deadly pestilence" of Ps. 91:3b, which is expanded in Ps. 91:5-6, 10 the military imagery of Ps. 91:4c is expanded in Ps. 91:7-8 91:5-6 These things were viewed by the rabbis as elements of the demonic (cf. Encyclopaedia Judaica, vol. 5, p. 1523). Notice it stalks, Ps. 91:6 it lays waste the "it" of Ps. 91:7 SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEMONIC IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 91:5 "terror by night" This is imagery for the wicked (vv. 3a, 8b) invaders (cf vv. 5,7, NET) the demonic (cf. S of S 3:8) SPECIAL TOPIC: ANGELS AND DEMONS 91:7 This is a hyperbolic expression using military imagery of the believer's personal care, provided by his covenant God. SPECIAL TOPIC: THOUSAND (eleph) 91:8 As God's people are subject to the attack of the wicked, they will also be an observer of their judgment (cf. Ps. 37:34; 54:7; 58:10). This same subject is addressed powerfully in Psalm 73! ▣ "the recompense" This form (FEMININE SINGULAR) of the basic root (BDB 1024) is found only here in the OT. The MASCULINE forms are found in Deut. 32:35; Isa. 59:18 (twice). 91:9-10 This is parallel to Ps. 91:1-2, while Ps. 91:10 is parallel to Ps. 91:5-7. 91:9 This verse in Hebrew seems to first address God (i.e., O YHWH) in line a and then makes a statement directed to a faithful follower who made Him his dwelling place (or "stronghold," NEB). There are several places this type of mixing of persons occurs. The UBS Handbook (p. 801) suggests that in Ps. 91:1, a priest is speaking Ps. 91:2, the worshiper Ps. 91:3-8, a priest again Ps. 91:9a, the worshiper Ps. 91:9b, the priest again Ps. 91:14-16, God speaks This solves some of the person problems but raises other grammatical issues. The Hebrew language often changes persons, even gender, for no apparent reason. 91:10 This is a promise about the safety and security of a faithful follower's home and family.
Salmos 91:11-13
91:11-12 These verses are quoted by Satan in Jesus' temptation experience in the wilderness (cf. Matt. 4:6; Luke 4:10-11). The promise of God's care must not be proof texted into a presumptuous demand. Believers do suffer (cf. Job; Psalm 73 versus Deuteronomy 27-28; and Rom. 8:28-30 versus 8:31-39). 91:11 "His angels" This may be the OT background (note Exod. 23:20) to Matt. 18:10; Luke 4:10-11 (LXX) and Acts 12:15 of the concept of "guardian angels." Also note, if you combine Heb. 1:14 with Ps. 103:21, there seems to be a connection. SPECIAL TOPIC: GUARDIAN ANGELS ▣ "To guard you in all your ways" This is a wonderful promise for those who trust in God and flee to His care. However, this is also a biblical hyperbole. We live in a fallen, evil world. Believers do face trials, sickness, temptation, etc. (cf. Matt. 5:10-12; John 15:18-21; 16:1-3; 17:14; Acts 14:22; Rom. 5:3-4; 8:17; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 6:3-10; 11:23-30; Phil. 1:29; 1 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 3:12; James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 3:14; 4:12-16; Rev. 11:7; 13:7). SPECIAL TOPIC: SUFFERING 91:13 This links the previous promises historically to Israel's wilderness wandering period or it may be figurative language for the problems humans face in a fallen world (cf. Ps. 58:3-5; Luke 10:19).
Salmos 91:14-16
91:14-16 God speaks and thereby sets up an "if. . .then" covenant blessing relationship (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30). God (then) Believer (if) God's Blessings deliver him love (lit. "cleave to"), God (PERFECT) be with him in time of trouble set him on high, knows God's name (PERFECT), rescue him answer him, calls upon God (PERFECT), honor him (cf. John 12:26 with long life behold God's salvation) SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON HIS NAME SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT) 91:14 "know" See SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW.